Molex Unveils AirBorn 3U VPX Power Supply, Elevating Compact Power Delivery for Aerospace and Defense

Molex has introduced the AirBorn 3U VPX Power Supply, a ruggedized, high-efficiency unit designed to deliver up to 1,000 watts of clean power in space-constrained aerospace and defense environments. Building on the success of its award-winning 6U VPX platform, this new 3U model offers a third of the size and weight while maintaining robust performance and compliance with key military standards.

Engineered to meet MIL-STD-1275 and MIL-STD-461 CE101/CE102 conducted emissions requirements, the power supply is tailored for deployment in military ground vehicles, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), Low Earth Orbit satellites, and AI-driven robotics. Its compact VITA 62 form factor aligns with SOSA standards, enabling seamless integration into open architecture systems.

Designed for Harsh Environments and High-Demand Applications

The AirBorn 3U VPX Power Supply is optimized for SWaP-C (Size, Weight, Power, and Cost), a critical metric in aerospace and defense system design. With integrated EMI suppression and advanced internal filtering, the unit mitigates interference at the source, reducing signal degradation and enhancing data transmission rates. This “all-in-one” approach simplifies system architecture by combining power conversion and EMI filtering on a single board.

According to Molex SVP Mike Cole, the new model continues the company’s tradition of overcoming “formidable physical and electrical challenges” in power supply design. The unit’s ability to maintain ultra-clean output voltages and low-noise switching makes it particularly attractive for parallel VPX card configurations and distributed systems.

Power Density as a Strategic Enabler

In aerospace and defense, power delivery is often the unsung hero behind mission success. As platforms become more compact and computationally intensive, the need for high-efficiency, low-footprint power systems grows exponentially. Molex’s AirBorn 3U VPX addresses this need with a solution that is not only technically sound but strategically aligned with the industry’s shift toward modular, interoperable systems.

The integration of EMI suppression directly into the power supply is especially noteworthy. In traditional designs, external filtering adds complexity, weight, and cost. Molex’s approach streamlines this process, offering a plug-and-play solution for engineers working under tight constraints.

Complementary Technologies and Ecosystem Synergy

This launch complements BittWare’s recent announcement of a 3U VPX card portfolio featuring AMD’s next-gen embedded processors and adaptive SoCs. Together, AirBorn and BittWare, both Molex companies, are building a cohesive ecosystem for mission-critical applications such as radar, SIGINT, electronic warfare, and satellite communications.

Both companies will showcase their technologies at the upcoming MOSA Industry & Government Summit & Expo in National Harbor, Maryland, from August 27 to 29. The AirBorn 3U VPX will be displayed alongside its 6U counterpart, which delivers up to 2,300 watts at 95 percent efficiency.

A Modular Future for Aerospace Power Systems

For aerospace engineers and defense integrators, Molex’s latest offering represents more than incremental innovation. It’s a strategic tool for building next-generation platforms that demand reliability, efficiency, and adaptability. As the industry continues to embrace open standards and distributed architectures, power systems like the AirBorn 3U VPX will be central to enabling performance without compromise.